A Presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, says the $1bn security fund has not been approved for spending by President Muhammadu Buhari, as it is still undergoing legislative processes.
Enang, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), stated this when he addressed State House correspondents on the controversy surrounding the approval of the security fund by the President.
He said Buhari only met with the minister of defence, service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, among others, to collate the need of each of the services and the money available for appropriation.
“President, having received approval of sum from National Economic Council made up of all the governors, now had a meeting with the minister of defence, service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, among others, to collate the need of each of the services and the money available for appropriation
“That Mr. President and the meeting having collated the need of each service and the amount involved may now present same to the Federal Executive Council for detailed consideration, or in exercise of presidential powers may communicate same to the National Assembly for appropriation.
“That this may be done as usual upon Mr. President consulting prior with the leadership of the National Assembly through the whole body of principal officers or the presiding officers of each chambers only, before originating the communication to the National Assembly.
“That as at now, the process of approving the money for use is inchoate and still undergoing Executive standard operating procedure before laying same before the National Assembly for appropriation.’’
According to him, the processes now being worked on is to fast-track this procedures so that it may be forwarded to the National Assembly while it is still considering the 2018 Appropriation Bill (Budget) for incorporation as President’s supplementary request under the 2018 budget.
He said in the alternative, the request may be forwarded to the National Assembly as supplementary Appropriation Bill if deliberation on the 2018 budget has been finalised.
The presidential aide therefore maintained that the President has not approved the said amount ($1bn) for any release of this procurement or application howsoever
NAN
